Reading Warm-up B

“Three-Century Woman” by Richard Peck
“The Fall of the Hindenburg” by Michael Morrison

 

Reading Warm-up B

Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again, and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.

When spending time with older people, have you ever pondered what it will be like to grow old? Old age is something most of humanity faces sooner or later. Therefore, it is important to know what to expect.      As we age, we undergo certain physical and mental changes. One obvious change is in the condition of the skin. The fantastic skin that you have now may not always look so wonderful. As we age, our skin loses  some of its elastic quality. As a result, it sags and  wrinkles. Those effects may be worse in people who spend a great deal of time in the sun. So it is a good idea to avoid excess exposure to the sun when you are young.      During the aging process, the senses may become less sharp. Vision may blur or dim. The senses of hearing, smell, and taste may also fade. Again, there are things you can do now to lessen the effects of aging. For example, if you avoid overexposure to loud noise, you will lessen the risk of experiencing a hearing loss. If you avoid smoking, you may not experience a decreased sense of smell or taste.        Another complaint voiced by older people is weakened lung function. Air pollution, smoking, and lack of exercise can make this condition worse. It is important, therefore, to get into the habit of exercising. Walk, ride a bicycle, or jog regularly. Exercise is good for your muscles, and it is good for your lungs, too.      Thoughts about the aging process do not have to put you in a foul, unpleasant mood. Consider the sixty-year old who has always exercised regularly. You will not see that person wavering uncertainly as he or she walks down the street. No, indeed! That sixty-year-old will have a majestic bearing, with  approximately 80 percent of the strength he or she had at age twenty-five.      The best advice one can follow is to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. If you do, the effects of aging can be minimized.

1. Underline the words that tell what you might have pondered after spending time with older people. What is another way of saying pondered? 2. Circle the words that tell what most of humanity will have to face sooner or later. What is the root word of humanity? 3. Underline the word that means about the same as fantastic. Write a sentence about something fantastic. 4. Circle the words that name one of the other complaints of older people. What are two complaints about old age that you have heard? 5. Circle the word that means about the same as foul. What might put you in a foul mood? 6. Circle the word that describes wavering. Use wavering in a sentence. 7. Circle the words that explain why the sixty-year-old has a majestic bearing. What does majestic mean? 8. Underline the words that tell approximately how much strength the person with a majestic bearing has. Define. approximately